View ATVMB related newsletters here! A paperclip icon beside the title indicates a downloadable file is available for the newsletter.

September 2011
Posted on: Tuesday September 27, 2011 - 3:30 pm CDT

ATVMB Go Riding Update September 2011

The Province is looking to open the Act that supports the laws that define how we ride our ATV’s in Manitoba. The Off-Road Vehicle act, developed almost 30 years ago has lain dormant as the popularity of recreational ATV riding has grown to what some may see as unacceptable levels.

Revisiting the act is well overdue as the Off Road Vehicle Act was developed long before recreational ATV riding became popular. It is important that responsible ATV riders participate. Prior to ATVMB, the interests of ATV riders were NOT represented by ATV riders, in fact, non-motorized enthusiasts sometimes stood up and spoke for us.

Now that the government has an ATV association to turn to, they have invited us to participate. Eventually, things will start to develop for ATV riders but until then, it is critical that we participate, attend meetings, and be sure that assumptions are not made; questions are answered and show the potential for organized recreational ATV riding. This is our voice, an opportunity to be certain that our best interests are represented.

I commend the Province as they are certainly doing their homework. There are many trail users, motorized and non-motorized and many people to consider when making these changes. Being thorough takes time, but I will say this, although working with government sometimes seems to take forever, they do keep moving forward, and that is the only way things get accomplished. Meanwhile, ATVMB will continue to represent our membership.

Some of the current initiatives ATVMB is participating in.

1. Manitoba Conservation Interdepartmental committee regarding ATV’s
2. Manitoba Conservation ATV Safety Committee
3. Duck Mountains Trail Working Group
4. Mars Sand Hills focus group
5. Manitoba Conservation trail stakeholders committee
6. Mid Canada Marine and Powersports Dealers Association – Powersports committee

ATVMB is also a member and Director for the All Terrain Quad Council of Canada (AQCC) which has introduced the first recreational ATV Safety training course (CASI) developed by the ATV Safety Institute. We are looking for ways to fund this program and subsidize it for all youth and young riders in Manitoba.

These are some of the things we are working on as we try to keep the business of ATVMB moving forward. It is a lot of work for only a few people.

Thanks to all our clubs and members for their continued support. Special thanks goes out to those who take time out of their personal lives to help ATVMB shape the future of recreational ATV and OHV riding. If you are concerned about the future of ATV/OHV riding in Manitoba I encourage you to come to our AGM in March 2012, run for a position and help us make sure our voice is heard.

Regards,
Chris Fox-Decent
President ATVMB

---

AGM in Great Fall Montana
Posted on: Monday September 12, 2011 - 6:57 pm CDT

The All Terrain Vehicle Association of Manitoba (ATV MB) recently attended the first international ATV conference and AGM in Great Falls, Montana. This event was hosted by our American partners the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC).

The All-terrain Quad Council of Canada (AQCC), the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council (COHV) and most of our provincial ATV and Off-Road motorcycle groups were represented, as well as all of the American clubs and associations. AQCC and COHV renewed its partnership with NOHVCC with the signing of another 5 year memorandum of understanding. This was a great opportunity for Manitoba to see and hear what is happening in other parts of North America in respect to OHV.

AQCC introduced the Canadian AQCC Safety Institute (CASI) ATV training program. This program is the most current recreational hands on safety training program available for all ATV riders and should be available through ATV MB by spring of 2011. This program was developed in partnership with AQCC, COHV, and the ATV Safety Institute (ASI) as well as all major ATV and OHV manufacturers.
ATV MB has joined the Mid-Canada Marine Dealers Association and is participating on the Motorsports Committee. As well as dealers, there are manufactures regional sales representatives and other associations like Snoman and Safety Services Manitoba collaborating on the future of recreational OHV in Manitoba.

ATV MB has also been working with our clubs, our governments and other trail stakeholders to develop a strategic plan for ATV and OHV in Manitoba. During this process we worked closely with a private consultant to develop a 3 year business plan.

We have a few new Clubs starting up in Manitoba – one is in Gimli and the other is in the Beausejour area. Currently the RM of Gimli has an ATV Ban but the new Club is already working with the Municipal Government on the issues they’re facing. In Beausejour they have one area that is causing concern, so they’ve recently decided they need to form a Club so they can work with the Local Government there before an ATV ban is put in place.
We are always looking for more Clubs. If your area doesn’t have a Club and you are interested in finding out what needs to be done to create one, please contact us at info@atvmb.ca

Chris Fox-Decent
President
ATV MB

---

July 2011
Posted on: Monday September 12, 2011 - 6:57 pm CDT

At 11 am I was informed that what was once only a dream had just become a reality.
In order to explain I have to take you back almost two years. My cell phone rang – it was a friend and fellow ATVer and he told me that our RM Board Members were about to ban the use of all ATV’s in our cottage area. I had just purchased a quad and this was not good news.

---

June 2009
Posted on: Monday September 12, 2011 - 6:57 pm CDT

We contacted the Manitoba Floodway Authority in regards to an ATV trail on the East side of the floodway. As we knew, they require us to have the support of the Municipalities that the floodway passes through before they can consider ATV's in the development plan.

---

May 2009
Posted on: Monday September 12, 2011 - 6:57 pm CDT

It has been some 6 weeks since we had our first meeting on March 21st and we have come a long way. There hasn't necessarily been much information available on Trackshare about the association’s progress but I assure you it is not due to a lack of action, but rather not enough time in the day to compose this. So I had a few hours to review and this is where were at.

---